SKZ - Das Kunststoff-Zentrum
About us
Whether product testing with proof of quality or analyses and expert opinions after damage cases - the Testing business unit supports your product policy and provides valuable arguments for the sales markets.
Specialist conferences and courses on all aspects of plastics as well as on interdisciplinary topics make it possible to benefit from the recipes for success of strong companies and their experts in order to effectively incorporate these practices into everyday business. Not only in times of a shortage of skilled workers are companies in the industry well advised to push their own skilled worker qualification and to compensate for bottlenecks caused by new techniques and volume increases in production by means of specialised further training.
The SKZ is a recognised DVGW course centre and offers you industry-specific and practice-oriented courses in the field of joining plastics with the possibility of a corresponding and recognised qualification according to DVS, DVGW, AGFW or EN guidelines.
In research and development, the focus is clearly on the future in projects with direct practical relevance: From materials to production processes and component properties to the evaluation of processes and products under economic and ecological aspects. The research results directly serve operational practice for the benefit of quality and efficiency.
Simply being aware of one's own company processes through activities within the framework of management certification constantly uncovers potential for improvement - a tailwind that no company today should do without.
The SKZ is supported by the FSKZ e. V. - the Association for the Promotion of the Plastics Centre. Its members include successful companies in the plastics industry and related sectors. Membership in the association means the opportunity to fight for top positions in the team - to network, to benefit from the excellent contacts in terms of content and to be able to represent plastics-specific interests more sustainably with a successful team.
Products & services
Training
Since the foundation of SKZ in 1961, our mission has been the further education of engineers and specialists in the plastics industry. We welcome over 13,000 participants annually at our 6 training locations in Germany, and many more at in-house training courses worldwide. A genuine practical component in the courses is a key quality feature for effective continuing education. The SKZ therefore operates its own technical centres at all of its training locations.
Testing of plastic products
Plastic products accompany us throughout the day - and throughout our lives. The focus is often on safe function, high practicality and a long service life. For example, when it comes to medical products on which human lives depend or building products that are expected to have a long service life, the SKZ's comprehensive testing expertise is in demand. Our own SKZ mark also certifies your products as a seal of quality that they meet the highest quality requirements.
Research and development
We develop the innovations of tomorrow. As a research and development partner, we face up to the challenges within the plastics industry and find solutions for a wide range of issues - from materials and processing methods to quality assurance. The problem solver for your issues • 130 researchers, developers and technicians • 23,000 sqm of laboratories and pilot plants • 100+ public research projects per year • 500+ industrial projects per year • Numerous awards for innovative research
Management certification
SKZ is your competent partner for individual management certifications. This is the best basis for the performance and economic success of your company. Due to the high-level structure of the standard bases, we can offer you integrated management solutions that can support your specific corporate strategy even better. We have made it our business to actively support you in your certification projects with our expertise and experienced experts. The requirements for companies are manifold. In addition to the fulfilment of legal requirements for products and processes, it is precisely the customer-specific demands for certified management systems that often represent barriers to market entry. Our competitive advantage lies in our flexibility and professionalism. We attach great importance to competent and value-added auditing of our customers and ensure this through regular further training and monitoring procedures. Furthermore, our clients and their certification procedures are supported by an experienced project management team.
Network & Event
Besides the need to constantly improve everything and anything, there are many tasks for our industry. These cannot be accomplished even by potent individuals, but must be tackled by the collective of a few companies, in special cases also as many companies in the industry as possible, and also by political representatives. Examples of this are improvements in the area of circular economy, sustainability and recycling. The support association for the SKZ, which now has well over 440 active members, is of great importance not only for the further development of the SKZ, but also in many ways for the plastics industry, and therefore deserves to be supported in the future as well. • We coordinate industrial expert circles • We give you access to expertise and provide first-hand know-how transfer • We give preference to our partners in the case of enquiries • We create synergies for material manufacturers, machine builders, processors and users For many years, we have been offering our SKZ specialist conferences on a variety of industry-relevant topics not only for members. Over 1,200 participants at about 15 specialist conferences each year not only receive knowledge updates, but also take advantage of opportunities to exchange ideas with experts in their fields and to network.